massey ferguson 35

[mariel]

My MF35 diesel was going well. Then we discovered air in the fuel making it conk out. We think that is fixed but now although she turns over, she won"t fire up. There is smoke coming out of the chimney. She is a recent buy. Any ideas?

 

[Anonymous-0]

Is it a 3 cylinder Perkins? or a 4 cylinder Standard? The Perkins is a better starter but in either case it could still have air in the fuel system. Big Deans site has an illustration and instructions for bleeding the Perkins. If the weather is colder a diesel can have raw fuel smoke out the exhaust and not start. If it has an engine heater plug it in for a while. If it's a Perkins it should have thermo start. Usually you turn the key backwards to engage it. Don't turn too far or the starter will engage. You should hear it start to heat up if you listen closely. I have a neighbor with a tractor he has to plug in all year round to get it to start. My skid steer starts OK but it needs glow plugs to start everytime unless it has benn running and is still warm. Some diesels can be tricky to start. If you're sure you don't have glow plugs you could try a very small shot of starting fluid while you are turning the engine over. Make sure you have the smoke coming out the exhaust if you try this. It means it's getting fuel. Starting fluid is a last resort but some engines are designed for it. Hope this helps. Dave

 

[Chuck (CA)]

My 35 has the 4 cyl Standard and simply won't start without a little (read very little) shot of ether. Once she's good and warm, it will start on its own.
Now, if there is indeed air in the system, you're going to have to bleed the air out. It's quite a process and you start at the filters and work your way to the motor. I'll see if I can find the info and add it to this post.

Good luck,
Chuck

 

[Anonymous-0]

Hello,
Assuming that the filters are OK and you have bled all of the air out of the system the next step is to slacken the injector nuts and make sure that you have fuel coming from them during cranking.
If everything is OK there but still no sign of starting the next step will be to tow it to start it.
In my 34 years experience with MF we have had quite a few that would not start on the battery even with two batteries connected. A short tow has been frequently successful. Towing to start with a rope (not a chain) will achieve a slightly higher cranking speed which may be needed after the fuel system has been disturbed.
DavidP

 

[Anonymous-0]

It took me three days to get all the air out of mine. I would drive it up a hill and some air would strike again. Bleed it and then some more would pop up. Finally got it. I never had many diesels get that much air in it before.lol

 

[Chuck (CA)]

Mariel,
If it needs to be bled, click on the link below, courtesy of Big Dean.
When there"s air in the system it sounds like it really wants to start, but it ain"t gonna happen.

Good luck and let us know how it all works out.

Chuck
Bleeding The Fuel System

 

[rhona]

Im Marie's sister and my internet connection at home is down so she posted the question for me. Thanks for replying everyone - can I ask more questions please - 1. when you turn the key 'backwards' to heat the coil or whatever it is, should you be hearing a sort of 'pop' or 'phut' -y sound ? 2. On the little fuel uplift pump, the lever bit that you pump up and down has come off .. moving it up and down will move a bubble slowly, but it doesnt get any pressure up - should I buy a new part? 3. Does smoke coming out of the chimney mean there's enough fuel to start, or could it be that there's still air in there? 4. D'you think a new fuel filter would be a good idea? and lastl question 5. Where to buy parts in Scotland?
My one failed twice on making a bit of effort, after having been bled, so Im encouraged thta the problem is still just air in it.
Thanks for help!

 

[mariel]

Much thanks. My sis has posted some questions and hope you can all help so we can get busy this week.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Hi there,
Further to all the good advice above, <a href="http://www.vintagetractorengineer.com/blog/2007/03/23/bleeding-off-diesel-fuel-systems/">here's a link to a short video clip</a> of exactly how to bleed a 4 cylinder engine.

Also have you got winter fuel additive in the diesel fuel as we have had some cold nights lately (probably not causing the problem but just another thing to consider).
Many engines 'pop' when the heater is been used - it's quite normal.

Good luck,

Steve.

 

[rhona]

well its a 3 cylinder, so does that mean its a Perkins? Doesnt have a log book. Are there different versions in USA and Scotland?

 

[oxidado]

Hi, Big Dean. It's been about 3 years since I've been to the MF Forum; we corresponded back in 2004 about my standard MF-35 using it at 6300' altitude, and I got some good advice from you and others here.

I see a mention in your Oct. 07 post that you have a diesel skid steer. Any chance that's a MF? I recently bought a MF-711 and am looking for other owners and some advice.

Glad to know you're still active.

Rusty
San Francisco and Truckee, CA